Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power
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Dinis N’Tchama, military spokesperson, speaks on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025 in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. (TGB Guinea-Bissau via AP)
By ASSANA SAMBU and MARK BANCHEREAU
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BISSAU, Guinea-Bissau (AP) — Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appeared on state television Wednesday saying they have seized power in the country, following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace, three days after national elections. The president told French media he had been deposed and arrested.
It is the latest of several coups in recent years in West Africa.
“The High Military Command for the re-establishment of national and public order decides to immediately depose the president of the republic, to suspend, until new orders, all of the institutions of the republic of Guinea-Bissau,” spokesperson Dinis N’Tchama said in a statement.
He said they acted in response to the “discovery of an ongoing plan” that he said aimed to destabilize the country by attempting to “manipulate electoral results.”
The “scheme was set up by some national politicians with the participation of a well-known drug lord, and domestic and foreign nationals,” N’Tchama asserted, and gave no details.
The soldiers said they were immediately suspending the electoral process and the activities of media outlets, as well as closing all borders.
Guinea-Bissau has seen four coups and numerous attempted ones since independence, including one reported last month. The country also has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The presidential and legislative elections were held Sunday. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias each claimed victory Tuesday, even though official provisional results were not expected until Thursday.
Guinea-Bissau has seen four coups and numerous attempted ones since independence, including one reported last month. The country also has emerged as a hub for drug trafficking between Latin America and Europe.
The presidential and legislative elections were held Sunday. Incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and opposition candidate Fernando Dias each claimed victory Tuesday, even though official provisional results were not expected until Thursday.
Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau appear on state television saying they have seized power
Soldiers in Guinea-Bissau have appeared on state television to say they have seized power in the country following reports of gunshots near the presidential palace.